Will Michael Phelps swim against a Great White during Discovery's Shark Week?

Michael Phelps is fast, but can he outswim a shark? CNN reports that the Olympian will help kick off Discovery's Shark Week in July.

Michael Phelps is fast, but can he outswim a shark? CNN reports that the Olympian will help kick off Discovery's Shark Week in July.

The Baltimore Sun

Back in March, the Discovery Channel teased that Olympic champ Michael Phelps, who grew up in Rodgers Forge, would participate in Shark Week. But the network didn't make clear what he would do.

At the time, Discovery President Rich Ross said he's intrigued about seeing the fastest human swimmer interact with nature's fastest. Ross said that perhaps Phelps could be persuaded to get into a cage underwater with a Great White.

A news release from the Discovery Channel this week makes it sound like he'll be swimming with -- or against -- a shark. The episode is scheduled to air on July 23 at 8 p.m. and is posted on Discovery's listings that night as:

They are one of the fastest and most efficient predators on the planet: Sharks. He is our greatest champion to ever get in the water: Michael Phelps. 39 world records. 23 Olympic golds. But he has one competition left to win. An event so monumental no one has ever attempted it before. The world’s most decorated athlete takes on the ocean’s most efficient predator: Phelps V Shark – the race is on!

In addition, Phelps will be in a segment running the closing night, July 30, at 8. Discovery is promoting it as:

SHARK SCHOOL WITH MICHAEL PHELPS

Michael Phelps joins Doc Gruber and Tristan Guttridge of the Bimini Shark Lab to get a crash course on everything ‘shark.’ They’ll dispel the myths and common misconceptions, teach him how to safely dive with sharks – including how to stay calm when a hammerhead swims two feet above his face – and will get Michael Phelps up close and personal with the incredible power of a great white. Produced by Peacock Productions.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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